Rain has a tendency to knock down fly hatches but I knew that the Ephemerella Genus would be trying to find a reason to be active so on went a Hendrickson style soft hackle in a size 12 which resulted in hook ups and a good brookie. Next I pushed the bar a bit and threw on a size 8 soft hackle in stonefly colors with more hits and two more trout (bows).
The rain began to win the battle when I threw on a short shank marabou streamer and made a short high stick upstream presentation which resulted in a vicious strike and a major upstream run followed by a downstream reel screaming run downstream. Finally the 20+ inch bow was in the net and quickly released.
And then It poured!!!
This week's weather may not be as bad as it looks. It's true that we will not have sunny days until around May 17 (that's right) but the rainfall for this week in central New England will be on the order of a 1/4 inch through Friday. That will allow these rivers to come down. If you can make it out this week then do it.
Please check the comments section of my previous post if you found a fly box in the Bears Den or a rod and reel on the Swift. The owners are waiting!!
One year ago, May 9th to be exact, I wrote about a reduced bugger in which I threw out all the heavy chenille and dense hackles and reduced this fly to it's basic elements. A friend said that it looked like a real insect. The fly is also tied on size 10 and 12 streamer hooks with or without weight and the unweighted version is something you want when the damsel flies are hatching.
Sunday morning on the Swift saw some at the Pipe fishing over lots of fish and catching some. We went upstream and caught a brown that showed itself with a subtle rise. No need to rush that placid section below the gauge. We got it on a #18 pheasant tail after slowly working downstream. Next we were at the tree pool when we saw some two soft rises and then took one on a deftly drifted #18 grouse and flash. Again, the bow took sooooo gently as the SH rose in the current imitating an emerging mayfly. Two good trout under spooky conditions. My client earned his stripes!!!
Stiil have some June evening 3 hour trips!!!
Ken
11 comments:
Great story, Ken, on the 20" rainbow that kept taking line. That is a beauty and it doesn't get any better than that. It is reassuring to read on your site that trout fishing doesn't have to be comprised of fishing the tiny #30 flies and 8X tippet.
I seldom use flies smaller than #16 and 5X and tend to do all right most times. I am thinking of using 4X or 3X more when moving nymphs through good zones being the hits are hard, and when it happens at the same time as your tug on the flies break offs result. Had that happen yesterday. The great thing about fly fishing is I never stop learning.
Sam,
I saw one rainbow after another taken on the Swift last Fall on a #16 caddis emerger and 4x. You can use 5x on a size 28 hook and be successful as long as you tie the fly on a wide eye hook. I use 5x for all my swift subsurface presentations and 4x on the big rivers.
Ken
Throw away chenille for wolly buggers and replace it with peacock herl.
Lois
All northeast rivers fishing well high water so been sticking to sinking tips. the bamboo is being carried in case of a rise but all have been on nymphs love the clouds but could use some sun or lets say partly sunny. The overcast has really worked wonders out here. Fished one hour in the sun today, not a sniff on pheasant tails, light wood duck dark wood duck and sparrows of different colors along with a zugbug special. Dark clouds light rain I when thru my same group and got fish on each pattern. Only reason I was changing up because I wanted to see if they would all work so as I said before love the clouds. Rivers parker Ipswich shawheen no need leave to travel and very little pressure .
Was at the Swift today and somebody posted a note with a ph number about finding a fly box. Didn't somebody post here they lost one with 2 years worth of bugs? It might be the same?
Hendrickson hatch not that big today, but found some feeders and took a few on size 12 Catskill style dry and a on a 18 PT. Apparently, there is a Bobcat that has been making regular appearances above Rte 9. I just missed it, but that would be cool to see.
Lois,
Check out my May 5th, 2016 post. I said the same thing!!!!
Tincup (Bob),
I love the clouds too but would like to see things dry out a bit. You are one who keeps at it and that is a good thing!!
Falsecast (Andrew),
The box that I mentioned was lost on the Millers. I'll mention this one.
There's a place below the Y Pool called the "bobcat tree" by some older anglers (Wooley Bugger George is one). I've only seen a half dozen in all my time. Seen a lot of tracks during my bow hunting days.
Ken
Just saw that Orange, Wendall and Erving got another Rainbow trout stocking yesterday. Looks to be fun when the river goes sub-500cfs. Not soon I'm guess, Ken?
Bill/Tully,
What a difference a year makes!!! Big rain on Saturday and then dry for a while I hear.
Ken
Ken
Tried the ware on church st for the first time. Beautiful river. Fished from the bridge upstream to the pool at the end farm field. Swinging wets, nymphs and even a wooly bugger for awhile, but no luck for me. I can see why you like that river. I plan on exploring it more this summer. Maybe even find the fish;)
best
Joe
Peacock herl is another material I use on soft hackle flies and proven to be a winner.One turn of small herl,make sure fibers radiate around hook, 12, 14, 16.Add head cement to hook shank and then wrap herl.You can also use a fine ribbing to strenghten herl.
I have been suing this fly for over 30 years.
Lois
Lois,
Good post. I'll try it!!
Ken
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